W - Key Persons


Akihiro Higashi

Job Titles:
  • INVESTMENT MANAGER
  • PARTNER

Amanda Umezono

Job Titles:
  • ADVISOR

Kanna Yamaguchi

Job Titles:
  • ADVISOR
  • ASSOCIATE
After graduation from the university, Kanna joined a machine tool manufacturer in charge of public relations. While working for a traditional Japanese company, she became interested in a more challenging environment and moved to dely, inc, a company with only ten employees. As a founding member of the sales department, she worked in sales, director, and new business development. She joined W in June 2022 as a community manager supporting portfolio companies. She likes basketball and kneading bread with a focused mind. She holds a license to operate a forklift and crane. She was born in Okayama Prefecture.

Kazuhiro Shin

Job Titles:
  • GENERAL PARTNER
  • PARTNER

Masahiro Hattori

Job Titles:
  • INVESTMENT MANAGER
  • SENIOR INVESTMENT MANAGER
Masahiro Joined Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in 2008, where he was in charge of corporate banking. In 2010, he joined SMBC Venture Capital as a founding member. In 2018, he joined DNX Ventures (formerly Draper Nexus Ventures), a VC investment firm in Japan and Silicon Valley, where he focuses on SaaS investments. His portfolios include Kyash, Unifa, Smart News, Goodpatch, Team Spirit, Cookbiz, Hacobu, Kakehashi, TableCheck, Minna Denryoku, and others. He has completed 6 IPOs and 6 M&As. He enjoys visiting saunas all over Japan and goes to the sauna thrice a week.

Naoki Sato

Job Titles:
  • ASSOCIATE
  • COMMUNITY MANAGER

Shuya Takatsu

Job Titles:
  • SENIOR INVESTMENT MANAGER